A superb finish, which saw him pick up four shots in the last three holes, enabled Adam Scott to increase his stranglehold on the Diageo Scottish PGA Championship at Gleneagles and the Australian will take a five shot lead into the final round over the PGA Centenary Course.
The 22 year old, already a winner this year in the Qatar Masters, carded a third round 67 for a 17 under par total of 199 to move five shots clear of fellow Australian Scott Gardiner and Scotland’s Raymond Russell, with another home favourite, Sam Torrance, two shots further adrift on ten under par 206.
Ironically, the day did not get off to the best start for Scott, starting when he was stung on the right arm by a wasp on the range prior to his tee-off and continuing when he three putted both the third and fourth holes.
It momentarily brought the chasing pack back into contention but once Scott’s group got through the game in front on the fifth hole, it allowed the Australian to regain his rhythm and from then on he regained control.
Birdies at the seventh, eighth and ninth preceded a dropped shot at the tenth but a birdie on the par five 12th put the leader back on track before his astounding finish open up clear blue water between himself and the rest.
The main thrust came at the 543 yard 16th where a drive and a three iron to 12 feet set up an eagle three before birdie putts of 20 and 12 feet then fell into the cup in succession at the 17th and 18th.
“Even if I was one ahead I would have taken it because it is an advantage over everybody else,” said Scott. “But finishing like that makes it hard for the other guys because they have a lot to think about tonight and I just have to think about getting in a good rhythm tomorrow.”
As far as his game plan was concerned, Scott admitted he would be keeping it simple. “I’m just going to play the par fives the same as I’ve done all week and just be patient and wait for them,” he said. “Fortunately there are par fives late which is always good but I will just try and be in the same rhythm I was in the first couple of days because I enjoyed playing like that.”
Fellow Australian Scott Gardiner, who grew up playing junior golf alongside Scott in his native country, will partner his fellow countryman in the final round, thanks to a fine third round 65 which, like Scott, featured a strong finish.
Two under par for the round through 12 holes, the 26 year old squeezed five birdies out of the last six holes to move to 12 under par 204 and in with a realistic chance of regaining his Tour card for the the 2003 season after losing it at the end of last year.
“I haven’t won before but I will go out and just do my thing but it will be difficult as there are some good players out there. Adam Scott’s round the other day was fantastic. I can’t compete with him but I have just got to go out and play my own game and see what happens,” he said.
At the start of the week, Raymond Russell admitted he was keen to eradicate the loose shots which had tended to blight his rounds and he got it absolutely right with a flawless third round 66 which moved him in sight of his second European Tour title.
Another player who enjoyed a strong finish was European Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance, who eagled the 16th and birdied the 18th for a 69 to move into fourth place on ten under par 206.
